FAQs

Does the eruption of Barren Island volcano intrigued you to know more about your earth and the fascinating way it behaves? Do you want to know why a Tsunami occurs? We can provide answers to many such queries regarding earth processes. Before asking your question, please use the GSI website search, especially the FAQ section below, as it may already contain the answer.

We specifically invite questions from students and interested private individuals. You can send any question regarding earth sciences. Please do not send questions that require extensive research. Questions having specific focus will help us in responding quickly. Use the Post new question link to access the form for submitting a question.

Q.

Are GSI products sold to the public?

A.

Yes, GSI products like published maps, atlases and scientific publications are sold to the public and to any interested party from various sales counters in GSI offices situated all over the country.

Q.

Do gemstones really provide any 'effect'?

A.

This can not be answered as it is individual's belief and there is no scientific way of ascertaining it.

Q.

Does GSI provide gemstone testing sevice?

A.

Yes, GSI provides gemstone testing service at a nominal cost. A certificate of authenticity is also issued by GSI. Gemstone Testing services are available in CHq, Kolkata and also at other Regional offices in Jaipur, Bangalore, etc.

Q.

Does GSI provide laboratory facilities to outside users?

A.

Yes, GSI provides laboratory facilities to outside users. Information about the services offered can be obtained through the Services page. The corresponding 'Schedule of Charges' can be downloaded from the `Services¿ page as well as from the Download Zone.

Q.

Does GSI sell its unpublished reports and maps?

A.

Published maps and other products are sold from Map & publications Sales Counters situated in GSI offices all over the country. Unpublished products are not sold over the counter. For the information regarding purchase of unpublished reports / maps and other data products please download the 'Instruction_purchase_MapReports.pdf' from the Download Zone or from the Products page.

Q.

Does the ore sample we brought contain enough percentage of iron/manganese/copper etc? Or can you tell the element percentage present in the sample from petrographic studies?

A.

The presence or absence of a specific element and quantity is best obtained by chemical analyses. However, mere presence of certain elements can be ascertained from petrographic or ore mineragraphic studies provided minerals containing such specific element are present in the sample.

Q.

Does the rock sample we brought is valuable? Will it serve as polished dimension stone?

A.

Most of the properties of rocks pertaining to dimension stones are of physical nature such as Crushing Strength, Compressive Strength etc. and these properties are determined in Geotechnical Laboratory of GSI. Interested users are advised to approach the Geotechnical laboratories. However, the mineral constituents present and the technical name and nature (whether massive/schistose) of the rock will be provided by petrographic studies by Petrology Division. The petrographic report would help in knowing the presence or absence of any detrimental minerals (from the polishing point of view -such as micas, chlorites etc.) and their volume percentage. Besides the suitability of a rock for dimension stone based on favourable geotechnical and petrographic properties, amenability of the rock to take good polish, the size and nature of the deposit has to be ascertained in the field by a trained and experienced geologist

Q.

How I get my Employee ID number

A.

Every GSI employee is assigned an 6 digit Employee-ID. One can know about his / her Employee-ID through People search utility which is available from the home page itself.

Q.

How can one get information about GSI products?

A.

One can get detailed information about GSI products like Maps, publications etc from the 'Products' section of this website and can do a dynamic search using the 'Search' facility.

This website (https://www.gsi.gov.in) is hosted by GSI (Geological Survey of India), Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Site is best viewed in 1366x768 resolution. Use Chrome 52.0.2743.116, Firefox 47.0.1, IE 11, or above for best user experience. Disclaimer: GSI is not responsible or liable for any damages of any kind arising out of the use or reference of any information contained within the site. While the information contained within the site is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided in this Web site is correct, complete, and up-to-date. This site may include links providing direct access to other Web sites or internet resources. GSI is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites. GSI does not endorse any of these external third-party web sites, their products or services.